One of the coast’s best kept secrets, Puerto de la Duquesa – or Duquesa as it is more commonly known – can seem like a million miles away from the hectic buzz of some of the bigger resorts along the rest of the coast.

The area of Duquesa lies at the western end of the Costa Del Sol coastline about halfway between Marbella and Gibraltar, and around 10km west of Estepona. It is also close to the port and facilities at Sotogrande, Sabinillas and the area of Manilva, which has many historical attractions. The airports of Málaga and Gibraltar are both within easy reach and the area offers some stunning views of The Rock of Gibraltar and North Africa.

Beach life is one of the main attractions in the Duquesa area and the whole region is rich in stunning coastal scenery and traditional Spanish charm. This part of the coast is less developed than other stretches and it maintains a laid back and relaxed ambience. In fact the calm atmosphere and slow pace of life is evident in everywhere you go around La Duquesa, which makes it a wonderful place to visit and unwind from the stresses and strains of life elsewhere.

One of the highlights of the Duquesa area is the Port of Duquesa itself. This is a charming port and marina which is filled with luxury boats and surrounded by bars, cafes and restaurants. The marina is surrounded by some unusual artisan craft shops and has a very relaxed and tranquil atmosphere. The area is a hub for nightlife and is a charming place to while away a few hours during the day with a book or a cup of coffee.

The port also acts as something of a village centre for those living nearby and there are plenty of places to go out. You can choose to eat at a wide variety of restaurants including French, Italian, Chinese, Indian and Thai as well as Spanish of course! There are also many everyday services in this area such as hairdressers, taxi companies, internet cafes and DVD shops. There is even a British Butchers for those who are missing a taste of home.

The marina at La Duquesa attracts many boating enthusiasts and there are moorings for 328 craft to be at the port at any one time. The port offers full boating services and facilities. Even if you are not a boating fan, it is fascinating to take a walk around the marina and to see how the boating community lives and works. You will also be able to view a great variety of luxury yachts as well as see some of the pleasure boats that cater for the tourists and the permanent population.

There is still some fishing around Duquesa and catches are landed in the area daily. If you are an early riser then you can still see the fishermen at work during the small hours. The marina area is also pedestrian-only which makes it a favourite spot for families as children can play away from traffic while the adults relax and enjoy the sun.

If admiring the boats and watching the fishermen is the closest you want to go to the water, then there are plenty of other things to catch your interest at Duquesa port. During the summer months the port area is home to a small market with stalls lining the water’s edge. You can pick up all kinds of clothes and souvenirs at the market and it is a popular day out for tourists.

If you wander just a short distance from the marina at Duquesa you will find yourself at the beach! There are two main stretches of beach around the marina, which are both beautifully-maintained with great facilities. To the east of the port the beach stretches back to the nearby town of Sabinillas and to the west the sands stretch out towards Sotogrande. Both beaches have plenty of fish restaurants and bars and there are many places where you can hire sun loungers and take it easy. The beautiful beaches combined with the stunning mountains as a backdrop make Duquesa a stunning place to visit and to live.

Back on terra firma again and the neighbouring town of Sabinillas is a big draw for people who are either living in or staying around Duquesa. Sabinillas has become very well known in the local area for its markets. There is a street market every Friday, where you can buy all kinds of food and other products, but one of the biggest draws for people is the huge Sunday market that takes place on the feria ground, which is close to the main A7/N340 coast road. The Sunday market is car- boot-style and it takes place from 10am to 2pm. You need to get there early if you want to bag some of the bargains as it is very popular and attracts many local Spaniards as well as tourists and expatriates.

One of the many reasons visitors are attracted to Duquesa and the surrounding area is that it has many really excellent golf courses and country clubs where you can really enjoy the Mediterranean lifestyle to the full.

While you are in the area, pay a visit to the La Duquesa Golf & Country Club. The club has a wonderful 18-hole golf course which was designed by Robert Trent Jones. The course has some spectacular view of the Mediterranean, Gibraltar and North Africa and attracts golf fans from across the world. The club itself also has a wide range of sports and leisure facilities including a gym with sauna and Jacuzzi, squash courts, tennis courts and a personal fitness trainer.

Duquesa is at the heart of golfing country and there are some other great challenges close by at Alcaidesa, the only links course on the Costa Del Sol , and the world famous Club de Golf Valderrama. Valderrama, which played host to the Ryder Cup in 1997, is a legendary golf course and it is just a short drive from La Duquesa. Other courses of note within a short drive from Duquesa include Sotogrande and San Roque.

The fantastic beaches and beautiful landscape combined with the rest of the coast’s excellent infrastructure, facilities, services and of the course the climate, makes La Duquesa an ideal location to buy property and invest, live or holiday. It offers the perfect balance of relaxed living with every amenity and convenience at your finger tips.